Band printing apparatus



April 9, 1963 E. SCHCJLLKOPF BAND PRINTING APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 14, 1959 A ril 9, 1963 E. SCHGLLKOPF 3,084,623

BAND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR April 9, 1963 E. scHLLKoPF 3,034,623

BAND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVEN TOR gR/vsr 5 CHO'LL KOPH April 9, 1963 E. SCHC5LLKOPF 3,084,523

BAND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 //v vN TOR 5 R/% 7- 50/62 L KOPF April 9, 1963 E. SCHULLKOPF 3,084,623

BAND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Zai Fig. 4

v 2| 33 13. Q I 4 32 Q 24 )m/f/v TOR fR/vsrscfl'oumr A ril 9, 1963 E. SCHDLLKOPF 3,084,623

BAND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Fig. 5

/ 99 t/IOO //v VEN TOR R/VST SCHO'ZLKOH April 9, 1963 E. SCHCLLKOPF 3,084,623

BAND PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 14, 1959 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Fig.6

E. SCHOLLKOPF BAND PRINTING APPARATUS April 9, 1963 Filed Jan. 14, 1959 FTJ""W 0 O a/ L 1 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 160 1561+ V3 A3 L2\ CE I T l 59 La i /NI/[N7'0VK IERA J'TS WWWZW United States Patent 3,tli4,623 BAND PRKNTHNG APPARATUg Ernst Sclriillkopf, Burgdorf, Switzerland, assignor to Maschinen iabrik Winkler, Fallert & Co. AG, Bern, Switzerland Filed .Jan. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 786,761 Claims priority, application Switzerland Earn. 14, 1%8 1d (Ilaims. {6 191-228) The present invention relates, in general, to printing mechanisms and, in particular, to printing apparatus for effecting either a single color or a multicolor printing of a band or tube of sheet material such as polyethylene, paper, cellophane, aluminum foil, etc.

Printing apparatus for printing on bands extending from rolls of the described types of sheet materials are known in the prior art. Such apparatus comprises superposed printing mechanisms, a drying bridge and a delivery mechanism. Such apparatus is operated continuously, different colors being printed in succession. This results in color mismatches, depending upon the particular material being used, making it very ditl'lcul-t to secure a quality print and requiring expensive attachments.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means in a band printing apparatus ensuring a quality printing operation which is devoid of color mismatches.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means in a band printing apparatus affording a novel construction which is highly ellicient in operation and which obviates the necessity of the previously required expensive attachments heretofore needed to provide a quality multicolored printing opera'tion on band-like sheet material.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide, in aband printing apparatus adapted both'for single or multicolored printing operations, means for insuring a continuous straight line printing operation wherein'the band travels from a supply roll to la take-up roll and is printed in either a single or a multicolor print in the course of its travel between the two rolls.

These and other objects of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings showing preferred embodiments of the invention.

In the drawings which illustrate the bestrnodes presently contemplated of carrying out the invention:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a printing apparatus pursuant to the present invention;

FIG. lAis an enlarged elevational view of the press; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the control mechanism for the winding and delivery of the band;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of the mechanism shown in FIG. 2',

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View of the drive for band delivering roller;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional viewthrough the support for the pressure andtake-ofl roller;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view througha cam ring arrangement in the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a wiring diagram.

Briefly described, thedisadvantages of prior art band printing devices are obviated pursuant to the present invention, by. providing in such a device means that allow the rolled band, which is to be printed, to be fed from a continuously running roller whose speed of rotation can be regulated or adjusted, the band is then run intermittently in exact intervals of movement through takeoff and pressure rollers to be printed by a conventional oifset printing machine in one or a plurality of colors, the band being then conducted by means of a continuously winding drive roller, whose speed of rotation is regulable,

to be wound on a winding peg to a roll.

"37, is effected by band 'takeofhrollerde and' the companion pressure "'ice '2 to a rubber cloth 3. The axle 4 of the segment cylinder mounts the gear wheel 5 from which the drive of a conventional, infinitely variable speed transmission is elfected via gearing 6 and a miter gear 7.

This speed transmission continuously drives the band drive roller 12 (FIG. 4) via the longitudinal shaft 9 provided with a miter gear 111 which operates the chain drive 11. The chain drive 11 drives a chain wheel 13 (FIG. 4) which operate-s a reversing gear means designed for two speeds. The reversing gear means comprises the gear wheels 14, 15, 16 and 17 which are driven for normal operation, while the drive for the so-called lead is effected over the gear wheels 14, 18', 19 and 17. The various gear wheels are connected with each other by bolts 20 and 21.

For normal operation the reversing gear means is ad justed so that platesprings 24, mounted by bolt 2G, are compressed by means of a nut 22 provided on the threaded portion 23 on the bolt so that the gear wheel 15 is only slightly entrained by its pressure on the disk 25 over the friction lining disks 26 and 27. The initiation of the transmission for the lead is effected by a controlled feed electnomagnet 23 operating via a linkage 29 on levers 3%) provided with a roller 31 so as to compress plate springs 32, provided on bolt 21, via a pressure plate 33' on the bolt which is in abutment with the roller 31, whereby the gear 18 is entrained by means of the friction lining disks 34 and 35.

The band or tape 37 [of sheet material, which is to be imprinted, extends from a supply roll 36 thereof (FIG. 1). The supply roll is mounted on a winding peg 38 provided-on an arm 39 which is mounted by a bearing 40. The supply roll 36 bears on the delivery drive roller 12. Through the provision Of a counterweight 41 acting on the arm 39, it is possible to regulate or adjust the pressure of the supply roll 36 on the delivery drive roller 12. The delivery or feed of the band 37 from the supply roll 36 is effected at the initiation of the operation by the delivery drive roller 12 which is operable by normal operation of the previously described reversing gear. The band or tape is fed from the drive roller 12 to the feed roller 42. The latter is driven by means of a belt 43 mounted on belt pulleys 44 and 45, the feed roller 42 being driven, for example, at half the speed of the delivering or pay-out drive roller 12. From the feed roller 42, the band 37 is conducted between a take-01f roller 46 and pressure roller 47, and passes about the latter, over guide rollers 48, 49, 5t} and 51 to the wind-up drive roller '52, which is also driven by a reversing gear to the windthe printing mechanism operates intermittently or in steps,

the band .is not stretched tightly but sags, as shown in FIG. 1.

The control, for the correct printing run of the band pull by means of a rocker or crank mechanism. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rocker mechanism comprises a lever 55 provided with an eccentric Sdand mounting a transverse member 57 provided with a rotary sleeve 58. The reversing gear for delivery is so designed, for example and not by way of limitation, that in normal operation a little less of the band 3 7 is payed out, from the supply roll 36 thereof, by the delivering drive roller 12 than is used in the printing mechanism. During the printing operation, the band is pulled by the roller 47 so that it is stretched and abuts the sleeve 58, and the rocker or crank mechanism is moved upwardly so that the eccentric 56 also performs a rotary motion. The eccentric 56 actuates a limit switch 59 which provides a current pulse so that the feed electromagnet 28 is connected over an adjustable time relay 66 (FIG. 7) and a relay switch 61, and the gear 18 is actuated for lead and the band supply is Wound off at an increased rate. As soon as a sntficient quantity of tape is reeled off limit switch -9 is again opened and gear 8 is freed again. The normal operating position of the gear mechanism is restored automatically to the band drive roller 12 at the normal speed over again.

The normally open limit switch 59 is connected at one side by lead L to one side of a current supply source 150. The other side of the limit switch is connected by lead L to one side of the coil 152 of the relay switch 61 and to one side of coil 154 of the time relay 69. The other side of each coil is connected by line L to the other side of the supply source 159. Momentary closing of limit switch 59 energizes relay coil 152 to close its normally open contacts 156 and thereby connect the terminal 158 of electromagnet via lines L and L to one side of source 150. The other terminal .166 of the electromagnet is connected by line L L to the other side of the source The closing of the switch 59 also energizes coil 154 to close its normally open contacts 162 to provide a holding circuit for said coil through its closed contacts 164-. Said holding circuit also retains the relay coil 15?. energized whereby to maintain the electromagnet energized. At the end of its preset time, the time-controlled contacts 164 open whereby to deenergize the holding circuits for both coils and to deenergize the electromagnet 23.

In the same manner, but in the reverse sense, control of the band feed to the drum 54 is controlled. A rocker 62 (FIG. 1) on the guide roller 48 is actuated by the pull \of the band 37 over the guide rollers 43, 49, 50' and 51 and by the winding drive roller 62, the limit switch 63 (FIG. 7), the time relay 64, the relay switch 65 and the feed electromagnet 66 being connected so that the winding drive roller 52 is driven by the reversing gear, depending on the band pull, running in normal operation or trailing. It will be understood that the parts 64, 65 and 66 respond in the same manner to the closing of limit switch 63 by crank 62. as do the corresponding parts 6%, 61 md 28 in response to the momentary closing of limit switch 59 by crank 55, as previously described. It will be understood that the described control action may also be eifected by a reverse method or photoelectrically.

In order to control the printing length of the take-off and pressure rollers, there is provided outside the gear wheel 5, the two side-by-side rings 67 and 68 (FIG. 6) which can be mutually displaced in such manner that the face of the raised cam can be extended or shortened and fixed in the desired position by means of a clamping ring 7% and screws 71.

A roller 72 (FIG. 1) is supported on a lever arm 73. The cam rings 67 and 68 control, via roller 72, the pressureroller 47 which is connected with the lever arm 73 and pivoted on the fulcrum 74 so that the pressure roller is pressed against the rubber cloth 3 for a desired time interval after which it is lifted therefrom. Springs 75 constantly bias the roller 72 against the cam rings 67 and 63. At the same time, a forked lever 76 (FIG. 5) is actuated by the ascending and descending motion over a linkage, said lever 76 connecting and disconnecting the drive for the pressure roller 47 by means of a clutch 77. A chain wheel 78 mounted on the axle 79 of the pressure roller 47 is continuously driven by a chain 80 (FIG. 1) over the chain wheels 81 and 82 and the gearing 6.

In order to permit for the adjustment of the pressure of the take-off roller 46 against the pressure roller 47, the axle 83 (FIG. 5) of the take-off roller is pivoted on a bolt 84. The adjustment is eifected by means of a threaded spindle 85, provided with a hand wheel 86 and if, threadedly engaged in a nut 87 which is resiliently mounted in a lever arm 89 by plate springs 88. The adjustment can be effected also while the mechanism is in operation. The take-off roller 46 is suspended for swinging motion in the center of its longitudinal axis over a bearing bush 943, swing bearings 91 and 92 and bolts 3.

In order to be able to drive the pressure roller and to brake the take-cit roller during its run, provision is made for bolts 94 (FIG. 5) provided on axles 83 and 79. The bolts engage in the grooves 95 of disks 96 and 97 to prevent radial turning of the disks while permitting an axial displacement thereof. Friction lining disks 98 and 99 are disposed at the confronting sides of disks 96 and 97, and entrainer disk lltltl being mounted between said friction lining disks. Each entrainer disk is provided with an entrainer bolt 101 and said bolts engage grooves of the take-cit and pressure rollers, respectively. By means of a nut 1% on each axle 83 and 79, the disks can be compressed over companion plate springs 103 so that the pressure roller is driven and the takeoff roller is braked.

The front fulcrum support 74 can be displaced by means of the hand Wheel 1M, the spindle 105 and the carriage Hi6 so that the pressure roller 47 can be shifted from the parallel position to the segment carrying the rubber cloth 3, in order to obtain a good pressure result even when the axle of the pressure roller is bent.

The support 107 is pivotally mounted on the fulcrum 74 and carries the take-off and pressure rollers. In order to adjust the pressure of the pressure roller 47 relative to the rubber cloth 3, the support =Iti7 can be adjusted over a threaded spindle 1G8, a nut T09 and bearing pins 11%, by means of the hand wheel 111. The guide rollers 49 and 50 can be braked by means of a plate spring, pressure disk and friction lining disks, as well as a nut. Between said guide rollers there is arranged in the vicinity of the band at least one conventional drying device 112.

Thus it can be seen that the invention has many aspects. One of these aspects is the improved feeding means for directing web material to the intermittently operable segment roller 5. In order to insure that the web material is advanced at a proper rate to insure proper registry of the printed matter thereon there are provided means for continuously feeding the web material from a reel 36 at a rate of speed sufiicient to cause it to overfeed between a feed roller 45 and cooperating take-ofi and pressure rollers 46 and 47. The web is passed over the pressure roller 47 to imprint the web as it moves in contact with the impression cloth or die 3. In order to insure that the take-0E and pressure rollers may advance the web at a proper rate of speed to insure proper registry of the various color imprints, means are provided to feed the web independently of the rate of feed of the pressure and take-off roller combination. Thus the web is normally overfed by the drive roller 12 and it causes a sag of the web between this roller and roller 45. In the event that the overfeed is too much the invention includes a control mechanism set forth in detail in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, which includes a switch 59 for controlling the operation of a variable speed gear drive for the draw-off feed roller 12. When the solenoid is actuated to compress friction discs on each side of a speed gear 18 the shaft is rotated through the gear 18 and causes a faster rotation of the drive roller 12 until the sag of the web 37 is lessened and the arm 55 rotates upwardly to deactuate the switch 59. Thereupon the gear 18 is no longer incorporated in the drive, due to the deactuation of the solenoid and the drive roller 12 operates at a normal speed to overfeed the web slightly the feed path between the drive roller 12 and the feed roller 45.

A particular feature of the present invention is in the arrangement of the take-off and pressure roller adjacent the cylinder 5 having the impression cloth 3. In accordance with the invention both the pressure roller and the take-01f roller are mounted on a bracket held on the end of a crank arm member 107, the other arm of which includes a roller 72 which rides on a cam surface formed on a portion of the segment roller 5. The cam causes the arm 107 to rock and bring the impression roller into contact with the impression cloth 3 for the precise period of time at which imprintingof the web is to be carried out after which it is removed therefrom.

A further feature of this construction is that the take-off roller is pivotally mounted above the pressure roller and it includes a novel central pivotal bearing and an adjustment handle for regulating the clearance between the takeoff roller and the pressure roller. The arrangement permits precise control of the clearance therebetween for the purposes of proper feeding-and registry of the web material.

In addition there is provided a novel means for frictionally retarding the feed ofthe web by means of adjustments for the take-off roller 46. For this purpose, in accordance with the invention, thepressure roller includes a retainer disc which includes a pin which extends into a groove on the interior of the pressure roller. The retainer disc rides-free on a stationary'rod which contains friction discs on each side thereof which are held to the rod by meanspreventing rotation thereon but permitting axial slidable movement. A hand controlled means is provided 1 or 2 to effect tightening of the discs to hold the retainer disc 10b and frictionally retard the rotation of the take-off roller 46.

Thus the invention provides a particularly well-suited mechanism for the application of colors or dyes which exceed two in number onto a stereotoype cylinder and from there to the rubber cloth 3 which functions as a form cylinder for impressing the various dyes onto the web material as it is fed. Correcting imprinting of the various colors is assured by the combination of elements described above including the means for accurately feeding the web to the take-off and pressure roller, the means for adjusting the pressure roller in respect to the compression cloth 3, the means for adjusting the take-off roller in respect to its contact with the pressure roller and the means for controlling the feed of the web throughout the Whole process. The take-off roller itself is suspended by a novel oscillatable bearing bushing 95 in oscillation bearings 91, 92 which engage a bolt member 93. The arrangement permits the take-off roller to adjust itself automatically parallel to the axis of the pressure 47.

The mechanism for effecting the braking of the pressure roller makes it possible to adjust the two rollers so finely relative to the tensioning of the Web that excellent control of the feeding of the web is accomplished. If a sudden intermittent change of the :tensioning of the web should occur, for example, the friction discs 98, 99 permit some turning of the roller until the tension is reduced thus the possibility of breaking or tearing of the web is minimized.

The described apparatus can be extended very easily. For example, it is possible to arrange two printing mechanisms, one behind the other, so that four colors can be printed on blank paper and by printing on the back. In lieu of the take-up or winding device, there can be attached a welding or cutting device.

Various changes and modifications may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and it is intended that such obvious changes and modifications be embraced by the annexed claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A band printing apparatus for single and multicolor printing operations having rotary impression means comprising means to feed and guide a band to be printed from a continuously running supply roll thereof, companion take-off and pressure rollers to which the band is fed from said supply roll, means rotatably supporting said take-off roller including means to move said take-off roller relatively to said pressure roller means to displace said pressure roller towards and away from said impression means,

cam rings associated with said impression means for con trolling said pressure roller displacing means to thereby control said pressure roller, means to advance the band intermittently through said companion rollers and about said pressure roller for the printing'thereof against said impression means, continuously winding drive roller means for advancing the printed band, and roll-up means to which the printed band is fed by said winding drive roller means.

2. A printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means to displace said pressure roller including means pivotally mounting said pressure roller for pivoting towards and away from said rubber cloth.

3. In a printing device including a rotary impression means, a take-off roller, a pressure roller, pressure roller mounting means for rotatably supporting said pressure roller movable toward and away from said impression means for selectively engaging and disengaging said pressure roller therefrom, and means'for rotatably mounting said take-oif'roller at a location adjacentsaid pressure roller for pressure contact therewith, including a take-off roller supporting spindle pivotally mounted above said pressure roller mounting means for moving said take-off roller toward and away from said pressure roller, said takeoff roller being pivotally mounted to said spindle.

4. 'In a printing device including a rotary impression means, a take-off roller, a pressure roller, pressure roller mounting means for rotatably supporting said pressure roller movable toward and away from said impression means for selectively engaging and disengaging said pressure roller therefrom, a means for rotatably mounting said take-off roller at a location adjacent said pressure roller for pressure contact therewith, including adjustable means for moving said take-off roller toward and away from said pressure roller, and means for positively rotating at least one of said pressure roller and take-off roller and means connected to the other of said rollers to prevent rotation thereof.

5. in a printing device including a rotary impression means, a takeoff roller, a pressure roller, pressure roller mounting means for rotatably supporting said pressure roller movable toward and away from said impression means for selectively engaging and disengaging said pressure roller therefrom, means for rot-ata'bly mounting said takeoff roller at a location adjacent said pressure roller for pressure contact therewith, including adjustable means for moving said take-off roller toward and away from said pressure roller, and means to positively drive said pressure roller, said take-off roller being rotated by contact with the material passing therebetween, and means to retard rotation of said pressure roller.

6. In a printing device including a rotary impression means, a take-off roller, a pressure roller, pressure roller mounting means for rotatably supporting said pressure roller movable toward and away from said impression means for selectively engaging and disengaging said pressure roller therefrom, and means for rotatably mounting said take-off roller at a location adjacent said pressure roller for pressure contact therewith, including adjustable means for moving said take-off roller toward and away from said pressure roller, said means for rotatably mounting said take-off roller and said pressure roller including a common support pivotally mounted adjacent said impression roller means, and cam means connected to said impression roller means and engageable with said movable support to move said pressure roller toward and away from said rotary impression means.

7. In a printing device including a rotary impression means, a take-off roller, a pressure roller, pressure roller mounting means for rotatably supporting said pressure roller movable toward and away from said impression means for selectively engaging and disengaging said pressure roller therefrom, means for rotatably mounting said take-off roller at a location adjacent said pressure roller for pressure contact therewith, including adjustable means (1 for moving said take-off roller toward and away from said pressure roller, a spindle, and a roller bearing member including axially spaced roller bearing races pivotally connected to said spindle centrally of said roller bearing races, said take-ofl? roller being rotatable on said roller bearing races. 2

8. In a printing device according to claim 5, wherein said means to retard rotation of said pressure roller includes a pressure roller spindle upon which said roller is freely rotatable, a disc freely rotatable on said spindle and connected to said pressure roller and frictional means held on said spindle against rotation thereon and frictionally engageable with said retainer member to retard rotation of said pressure roller.

9. In a printing device according to claim 8, including an adjustable knob threaded on said spindle, adjacent said frictional means, said frictional means including a disc keyed to said shaft against rotation thereon but axially slidable therealong.

10. A roller mounting mechanism comprising a mounting member including bearing means, a first spindle for r-otatably mounting a pressure roller, said first spindle being rotatably mounted in said bearing means and eX- tending outwardly therefrom, a second spindle pivotally mounted above said bearing means and having a first portion extending outwardly in the same direction as said means on said second spindles second portion, including means for rotating said second spindle about its pivot whereby to adjust the contact between a pressure roller rotatably carried by said first spindle and a take-01f roller rotatably carried by said bearing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 891,165 Harris et a1 June 16, 1908 1,828,506 Morse Oct. 20, 1931 1,864,166 Barber June 21, 1932 1,864,167 Barber June 21, 1932 1,886,528 Cottrell Nov. 8, 1932 1,986,643 Mueller Jan. 1, 1935 2,229,226 Scott Jan. 21, 1941 2,358,114 Staiford et al Sept. 12, 1944 2,753,128 Thomas et a1. July 3, 1956 2,754,958 Murrell et a1 July 17, 1956 2,778,303 Stempel Jan. 22, 1957 2,782,713 Davidson Feb. 26, 1957 2,910,937 Hirschey Nov. 3, 1959 

1. A BAND PRINTING APPARATUS FOR SINGLE AND MULTICOLOR PRINTING OPERATIONS HAVING ROTARY IMPRESSION MEANS COMPRISING MEANS TO FEED AND GUIDE A BAND TO BE PRINTED FROM A CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING SUPPLY ROLL THEREOF, COMPANION TAKE-OFF AND PRESSURE ROLLERS TO WHICH THE BAND IS FED FROM SAID SUPPLY ROLL, MEANS ROTATABLY SUPPORTING SAID TAKE-OFF ROLLER INCLUDING MEANS TO MOVE SAID TAKE-OFF ROLLER RELATIVELY TO SAID PRESSURE ROLLER MEANS TO DISPLACE SAID PRESSURE ROLLER TOWARDS AND AWAY FROM SAID IMPRESSION MEANS, CAM RINGS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID IMPRESSION MEANS FOR CONTROLLING SAID PRESSURE ROLLER DISPLACING MEANS TO THEREBY CONTROL SAID PRESSURE ROLLER, MEANS TO ADVANCE THE BAND INTERMITTENTLY THROUGH SAID COMPANION ROLLERS AND ABOUT SAID PRESSURE ROLLER FOR THE PRINTING THEREOF AGAINST SAID IMPRESSION MEANS, CONTINUOUSLY WINDING DRIVE ROLLER MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE PRINTED BAND, AND ROLL-UP MEANS 